GENERAL RULES

·         This is a 6 month Buckle Award Series Competition..

·         Competitors must enter 5 out of 6 shows to qualify for series awards

·         You are only required to register once for the series of 6 races.

·         You will be required to check in at each event, show current coggins, sign release of liability sheet, helmet release (if applicable) and pay all entry fees and any other fees for camping or stall rentals as applicable.

·         At check in, you will fill out your judging sheet and pick up your assigned rider number and attach it to the front of your shirt or to the left side of your saddle or saddle pad behind the saddle seat.

·         Maps for the course will available at registration when you check in.

·         Competitors will be allowed to walk the course on foot, 30 minutes before the race.

·         No horses will be allowed on the course prior to the race.

·         The series will consist of 3 divisions and are as follows:

Open – All ages and riding ability from 7-adult.
Novice – All ages 7 to adult that are new to the sport, or are a beginner rider.  
*Once a novice rider accumulates 500 points or more during the course of this series, rider will be required to move up to the open division for or any future trail obstacle races or series of races produced by The Rocking L Ranch.
Youth –Riders from ages 7-17 with any level of riding ability.

·         A horse may be ridden only one time in each division.

·         Riders are permitted to use different horses throughout the course of the series.

·         Riders may enter multiple horses in any division, however, only the highest points of the day will count toward the series awards when multiple horses are ridden in the same division.

·         All points will be allocated to the rider, not to the horse.

·         *Jackpots will be offered at the start of each Series Race.

·         Jackpot riders must be at least 12 years of age

·         The Jackpot will be a timed event only on the open trail or open course and will not be judged.

·          Jackpots will not count toward series points.

·         Jackpots will have a 50% payback and payouts will be based on a 50/30/20 percentage.

·         NO ALCOHOL OR DRUGS WILL BE PERMITTED ON THE GROUNDS OF THE ROCKING L RANCH

·         All dogs must be on a leash

·         Horse Trailers and spectators are assigned specific parking areas.  Please notice all posted signs.

·         Non-sportsmanship like behavior toward other competitors, judges, RLR staff or volunteers or spectators will not be tolerated and is grounds for disqualification from the race.

SAFETY

·         Each rider is expected to know their own riding capabilities and limitations as well as that of the horse that they are riding – riders ride at their own risk

·         All obstacles are constructed with the safety of the horse and rider in mind, however riders are expected to use good judgment and caution on all obstacles.

·         It is also understood that horses are unpredictable at times and the rider must be prepared to handle any situation that may arise as safely as possible.

·         It is considered good judgment and horsemanship to drop a prop when a horse displays intolerance

·         All though in the situation above, points may be deducted from your obstacle score but points most likely will be added in overall horsemanship for correcting or avoiding a problem with your horse before it becomes unsafe.     

TACK & EQUIPMENT 

There will be no special tack required or restrictions on what tack the rider is allowed to use on their horse for RLR Trail Obstacle Races.

DRESS CODE

·         Dress code will be jeans & boots, t-shirts, tank tops or western style shirt, (women) no spaghetti straps or halter tops or bathing suit tops allowed. 

·         Rider may wear any style western hat, cap or visor of their choice as long as it is secure to your head to prevent hat coming off and interfering with your ride.

·         No penalty will be applied for hats falling off during race

·         ASTM Helmets are recommended for children under 16.
 * A Helmet release form will be required to be signed by the parent or guardian of all  riders age 16 & under .

JUDGING AND SCORING

·         RLR Extreme Trail & Obstacle Series Race will be a judged and timed event.

·         Judging will be based on proper horsemanship upon approach, execution and departure of each obstacle.

·         The rider will be judged on each obstacle on the following scale:
Possible 10 points = 1 point for approach, 1point for departure and up to 8 points for execution of the obstacle.

Judging for Overall Horsemanship

·         Riders will be judged on their center seat balance, soft hands, loose rein, use of leg and rein aids, and ability to maintain speed with control throughout the course on each obstacle.

·         Points will be deducted for improper balance of seat, incorrect use of leg and rein cues, too tight of a rein, excessive kicking, spurring or use of crop.

·         Horses will be judged on willingness to perform, responsiveness to cues, consistent gates on an obstacle, proper leads and lead changes.

·         Points will be deducted for gaping mouth, tossing head, uncooperative behavior, bucking or rearing, side stepping to avoid obstacle or refusal of obstacle.

Judging Obstacles

·         Riders are required to attempt every obstacle on the course.  

·         Riders must make 3 valid attempts at the obstacle before they can move on to the next obstacle.
 * 3 Valid attempts by definition   =   3 separate approaches where the horse is facing the obstacle head on.  If horse steps to the side or backs up in refusal, rider is required to bring the horse to a straight position facing the obstacle head on and ask the horse to attempt the obstacle again.  After the 3^rd valid attempt, the rider is required to move on.

·          If you approach an obstacle that you believe you or your horse cannot complete, you must show the judge the 3 valid attempts to receive a score.

·         Should you choose to offer no attempt, you will receive a (0) score for that obstacle plus a 30 second time penalty.

Time Bonus Points

·         Time calculations will be as follows:
Rider with the fastest time will receive a 5 point bonus to their overall score.
The subsequent times following the fastest time will receive 4, 3, 2 and 1 bonus points.

·         RLR will use an excel spreadsheet to calculate all points and times to keep track of scoring for the series event to reduce chance of error.

·         Riders will not be disqualified if they fall off their horse as long as rider is able to re-mount they are permitted to finish the race.

·         Points will be deducted from overall horsemanship if rider falls off of their horse.

 JUDGES

·         The RLR Extreme Trail Obstacle Judges will be assigned to judge the same division throughout the series event.

·         Alternate judges will be assigned to fill in when an assigned judge is unable to judge an event.

·         Judges are permitted to compete in the series race in jackpots or any division that they are not assigned to judge.

·         Judges or alternate judges will not be permitted to compete in a division that they are currently assigned to judge, even if they are not judging the event that day.

·         Competitors may not approach a judge with any questions, comments or any other distractions while that judge is working a race.

·         Riders will be allowed to view their judge sheet at the end of the day when all scores have been entered into the computer and the places for the day have been announced.

·         Individual scores and series standings will be posted on the website approximately one week post race.

·         Email notification will be sent when scores have been posted.

·         ALL SCORES ARE FINAL! 

·         If you have questions or concerns about your score or any comments made on the judges sheet, you may speak to the judge at the end of the day.

·         Please be respectful of the judges time and be considerate of others that may wish to speak to the judge as well.

COURSE OBSTACLES

·         The course will consist of 14 obstacles for all divisions.

·         The course obstacles will change each month to keep the series fun and challenging.

·         Course locations may change from one area of the ranch to another, or course may remain in the same area throughout the series event.